Bloody Marsh Historical Site, St. Simons Island

This small park provides a panorama of the eastern marshes of St. Simons Island, while it informs the visitor of the Battle of Bloody Marsh. Though it was a relatively small engagement, the outcome had a tremendous influence on the future course of Georgia. An exhibit explains the engagement and a plaque honors Oglethorpe’s resolve to keep the Georgia territory in the hands of the British empire.

Geologically, the high ground of the park is the Pleistocene (35,000 years ago) shoreline of St. Simons Island, which existed before Sea Island and East Beach were formed to the east 5,000 years ago. The “Bloody Marshes” filled the lagoon created by the younger, sandy barriers. Marsh species display zonation, with Live Oaks  on the highest, driest ground, cedar at the woodland edge, and marsh elder and groundsel trees by the edge of the marsh, going down to saltwort, glasswort, bunch grass (Spartina bakeri), salt meadow cordgrass (Spartina patens), and needlerush. Wading birds, such as herons and egrets, are observed fishing the shallower open waters of the marsh, which drain into Postell Creek and enter the ocean at Gould’s Inlet.

In 1739, Britain declared war on the Spanish, called the War of Jenkins’ Ear. Jenkins was an English smuggler who had his ship boarded by the Spanish off the Florida coast. When the Spanish couldn’t find any contraband, Jenkins testified to the English House of Commons, one of the officers grew angry and sliced off his ear. This outraged England, which had been spoiling for a fight with Spain for years. In the vulnerable southern colonies of America, Oglethorpe decided to act first, and laid siege to Spanish-held St. Augustine in 1740, but he was unsuccessful. Two years later, the Spanish sailed past the guns of Fort St. Simons and landed near Gascoigne’s Bluff with approximately 2,000 men supported by 50 ships. Flanked and outmanned, Oglethorpe abandoned Fort St. Simons and withdrew his 900 troops along Military Road toward Fort Frederica.

The first action of the day occurred within sight of Fort Frederica at Gully Hole Creek, where a force of Scottish Highlanders, English Rangers, and Indians led by Oglethorpe repulsed an advancing regiment of 200 Spaniards, causing them to retreat. Back in camp, the Spanish commander and governor of Florida, Manuel de Montiano, learning of the defeat, sent several hundred troops up the military road to cover the retreat. Meanwhile, Oglethorpe’s men waited in ambush near the road, and at the last possible moment, the Scots and English rangers opened fire on the unprepared Spanish troops, causing anywhere from 100 to 500 casualties, depending on whose account one believes. The marshes reportedly “ran red with blood.” The Spanish returned to the south end, and after contemplating the situation for a week, destroyed Fort St. Simons, boarded their ships, and left the Georgia coast for good, ensuring that Georgia and the territories to the north would be of British heritage and speak the English language. The military clash passed into the history books as the Battle of Bloody Marsh.

  • Directions: From Brunswick, cross F.J. Torras Causeway. Go left on Demere Road. Bloody Marsh Monument is located on the left after the Demere/Frederica intersection.
  • Activities: Historic touring, bird-watching, nature study.
  • Dates: Visitor center is open 7 days a week from 8–4.
  • Facilities: Park, exhibit shelter, audiotape.
  • Fees: None.

 

When their investment club ended a year and a half ago, members of the disbanded group soon realized how much they missed the time once shared with friends.

A few years ago, investment club member Sally Essig received a prayer shawl when she was ill. Because the special gift had given her a wonderful sense of comfort, she decided to propose the idea of a prayer shawl group to her friends. “About half of the ladies could knit, but al wanted to participate,” explained Mrs. Essig. “So, I taught the girls to knit, and it has been a real learning process for all. Now there are 3 women and we meet once a month. Some knit four shawls a months and some knot one a year. The spirit is there, and special prayer is abundant for each shawl.”

The members are all busy women who are either working at their vocations or are very active volunteers. Among the members there are two retired teachers, two real estate agents (including Hodnett Cooper’s own Alice Barlow), three nurses, a psychologist, a publisher, an accountant and a pharmacist.

For more information contact Sally Essig at 912-638-0971.

halloweenphoto-1

Just for fun, the Hodnett Cooper team donned an interesting array of Halloween Costumes on Friday. We saw everything…  from a vampire to a doctor. A $100 prize went to the most original costume, “Mamma.” We had a blast dressing up, and our guests and clients enjoyed the fun.

iStock_000000138336XSmallYesterday, our vacation rental group greeted more than 250 arrivals for the big game weekend. We are so thankful that the many Georgia fans once again chose St. Simons Island as their celebration destination. We hope everyone has a wonderful, and safe, holiday weekend. Go DAWGS!

by Lisa Anderson

On Wednesday, October 21st, Grant’s Ferry Cove celebrated their grand opening with a Halloween Open House. Carol Weber, from BB&T Mortgage, provided $50 gift cards to Longhorn Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Crabdaddy’s and Cargo Portside as door prizes for our guests. Kate Moore from Ligon, Middleton and Lindberg provided us with two beautiful fruit and cheese trays as well as homemade cupcakes and cookies. We set the food up on the porch overlooking the pool so that guests could enjoy the view while they visited. The event was scheduled for 11 to 3, but lasted much longer as we had over 60 people join us to tour the clubhouse and model as well as the two new styles we have begun. We had stuffed a grab bag with over $500 in cash and each visitor enjoyed trying their hand at a chance to win up to $100 in cash!

A grand time was had by all and everyone was most complementary about our 6 new homes we are offering, as well as the beautiful decor of the clubhouse and model. We have had a number of folks ask us if we could build a two bedroom for them and have come up with a floorplan to offer. Please stop in to see us and let us tell you all about all of our designs. The sales center is open in the clubhouse from 10 to 4 Monday through Friday and 12 to 4 on Saturday. We can be here on Sunday as well by appointment after church.

 

When: Saturday, November 21, 2009
Where: Ft. Frederica
Tickets: $35/person for members; $55/person for non-members
Call: 912-638-9109 or visit www.sslt.org

OysterRoastInvite-1Celebrate low-country style with mounds of succulent fresh oysters, local shrimp, and corn-on-the-cob! 30+ Local restaurants will be on-hand, along with hundreds of guests attending this popular island tradition. The annual Land Trust Oyster Roast raises money for the purchase of land on St. Simons Island for the purpose of preservation. Since the Land Trust began in 2000, they have preserved 145 acres of property on the Island.

The Land Trust’s newest project, Frederica Park, is the first new park on St. Simons Island in over 50 years. This project was made possible by a generous donation of land from the Sea Island Company, as well as donations from private individuals.

The 20-acre Frederica Park features a botanical trail and a playfield complex that will be available for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, rugby and other activities such as kite-flying and bocce. Most of the park will be devoted to the botanical trail, where native plant species will be re-introduced to land that had been used for timber farming for many years. Island garden clubs have helped design the trail and a proposed botanical garden. The park will have ample parking, rest rooms, shelters, a play area and eventually, a hard surface jogging/running trail around the playfield.

Also donated to the Land Trust in 2008 was a $500,000 gift from part-time Sea Island residents Jim and Sarah Kennedy, made through the Atlanta-based PATH Foundation. This gift launched the Hampton Spur, a five-mile expansion of the Island-Wide Trail System from the Sea Island Stables to Hampton Point. The first 1.1 mile of the trail was formally opened in October 2008. Another 3 miles of trail were completed in August 2009 – taking the trail within one mile of the entrance to Hampton Plantation. The Land Trust recently secured funding for the final leg of the Hampton Spur, which is planned for completion by January, 2010.

GICA_logoA new public charter school located in Brunswick, Georgia is now open!

The Golden Isles Career Academy presents a new approach to learning, offering career preparatory opportunities for high school age students and college programs for citizens of all ages across the Glynn County community through a partnership with Altamaha Technical College.

The Career Academy is not a vocational school, although its core initiative is to provide hands-on career-driven learning and guidance. The Career Pathways Programs have been uniquely designed to provide essential learning tracks to 18 distinctive career curriculums – some of which are college preparatory focused through the Dual Enrollment Program, where students can actually earn college credit while still in high school. Career paths include: Veterinary Science, Automotive Service, Broadcast/Video, Construction, Dental Assisting, Culinary Arts, Graphic Design, and more.

After years of planning along with contributions from local businesses, the Board of Education, ESPLOST funds, a state grant and a land donation by the Development Authority, the Golden Isles Career Academy opened its doors on August 6, 2009.

Currently, more than 700 high school students are enrolled at the Golden Isles Career Academey. An additional 150 college students are enrolled in evening classes at the same campus.

This is a wonderful addition to our community. For more information, please visit www.gica.us

by Mary Bryan Fields

At last, news media from around the country are reporting positive trends in the real estate market. The general consensus is that the real estate recession is over. If you’ve been waiting for the bottom to invest in real estate, the time to buy is now.  But, don’t take our word for it!

Economists and other experts, such as CNBC’s Cramer, are saying that residential real estate has finally found a floor. As Cramer told CNBC viewers in June, the sector’s long, steep descent is all but over. According to a June 16th article posted on the web by Tom Brennan, “New housing data reported today indicates a dramatic change for the better.  The latest news, along with much lower prices and the working off of inventory, validate (Cramer’s) prediction that housing would stabilize this month.”

Among other encouraging statistics, the National Association of REALTORS’ Pending Sales Index, a forward-looking compilation of signed or “pending” contracts, has increased seven months in a row… a winning streak not seen since 2001! The last data available confirm that pending contracts were up 6.4% in August 2009 over July 2009.

Many parts of the country are reporting stabilizing prices amid increased sales. According to RealtyTimes, “In September, sales increased 8.2% in the Northeast, 7.6% in the Midwest, 1% in the South, and 16% in the West. On average, prices were 3.4% higher in August 2009 over August 2008.”

According to Jeffrey Humphreys, writing for Georgia Trend Magazine, “Georgia’s prolonged and severe housing downturn ended in the second quarter of 2009, when single-family housing starts bottomed at 12, 500 units.” Mr. Humphreys predicts that “… the upturn in new home construction and housing sales that began in mid-2009 will gain momentum in 2010.”

Evidence that prices are stabilizing and demand for real estate is increasing here in Coastal Georgia becomes more apparent each day.  Inventories, which were never extensive along this section of the Coast, are shrinking, particularly in new products.  During the last two years, builders have adjusted housing starts in response to market conditions.  Increased interest from prospective purchasers, which began in early spring, is now reflected in pending contracts and closings.  For example, increased transactions in the last three months are reminiscent of the hot sellers’ market of three years ago.  Multiple offers on desirable, well-priced properties are increasing.  Many real estate companies report that phones are ringing with inquiries; website traffic is also increasing.

For the near future, buyers will continue to enjoy the best real estate opportunities in a decade:

  • Interest Rates Below 5%: Competition for money, including the Federal government’s extraordinary deficit spending, will drive interest rates up, and soon. But, for a limited time, the Federal Reserve Board is holding rates affordably low. The U. S. Weekly average for the first week in October for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 4.94%; that’s rock bottom pricing for long-term money! If you are waiting for prices to drop, stop waiting. A 10% decrease in price is required to offset a 1% increase in interest rates. Increasing prices and increasing interest rates are much more likely.
  • A Pricing “Do-Over”: On certain properties, today’s pricing is on par with pricing from early 2000.  During 2005-06, many of our purchasers opined, “If we had only bought in 2002, look how much we would have made on this property!”  Our view is that 2002 has come again, as will 2005-06.  If you are smart enough to enter the market now, you can have a “do-over!”
  • Selection: The choices are plentiful in most price ranges.  However, since limited new inventory, particularly new construction, is being added to the marketplace, these choices will diminish with each passing week.
  • Demand Backlog: People have deferred important real estate decisions for more than three years, particularly the baby-boomers who plan to retire “south.” Improving market conditions will release this pent-up demand, which will absorb more of the available inventory.  Prices will rise as demand increases and supply decreases.
  • Tax Advantages: Both the Federal government and the State of Georgia will pay qualified individuals to buy a home, up to $9,500, in real money. If you qualify, you should move quickly, as this opportunity ends soon.

Market conditions are changing…. and quickly. As Mr. Brennan states, “…people are as blind to the bottom as they were to the top.  You can’t wait for some analyst to make the call.  You have to buy now if you want to make some money.” Thank you, Mr. Brennan. We couldn’t have said it any better!

The professionals at Hodnett Cooper know the best opportunities in today’s market.  Request our “Best Buy” list and become a part of the real estate recovery. Sometimes, you can have a do-over.  Don’t miss this one!

iStock_000008973039XSmallJoin us at a high-spirited Halloween bash benefiting the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia at Bennie’s Red Barn. On the evening of October 28, the Red Barn will be converted into a ghoulish themed dinner party, where pets are welcome and costumes are encouraged. Dinner, music, dancing, games, and a special dance performance of “cats” are just a few of the evening highlights. For ticket information, please contact The Humane Society at 912-264-1191. This is sure to be a great time for a great cause!!

by Guerry Norwood

Horton RuinsOne-half mile south of Clam Creek Road on the eastern side of North Riverview Drive are the remains of the Horton House. The two-story tabby structure, one of the oldest in the state, was built in 1742 after Horton’s original structure was destroyed by retreating Spanish, who had just been defeated by Oglethorpe in the Battle of Bloody Marsh. An exceptionally large red bay occupies the northwest corner of the house. Across the street in a peaceful setting of cedars, oaks and pines is the du Bignon family cemetery. The du Bignons owned the island for nearly a century before selling it to the Jekyll Island Club millionaires. Major Horton Road, on the north side of the property, connects with Beachview Drive on the eastern side of the island. This road becomes a trail that passes freshwater sloughs and a pond open to freshwater fishing.

Maj. William Horton served as forward lookout on Jekyll Island for Gen. James Oglethorpe during the British colonial period. Horton, who commanded English forces after Oglethorpe returned to England, is best known for having the first brewery in Georgia, the ruins of which are seen south of this site on the western side of Riverview Drive.

  • Trail: 1-mile.
  • Directions: From Brunswick, travel south on US 17, cross Sidney Lanier Bridge. At causeway, turn left toward Jekyll Island. Continue across Ben Fortson Parkway to dead end. Go left. Horton House Ruins and trailhead are on left past Clam Creek Picnic Area.